Toshiba may hit up Sony for cash after battery fiasco

Now that the bulk of major laptop manufacturers have copped to battery problems and initiated recall plans, it's time for the finger-pointing to begin. First up is Sony's fellow Japanese manufacturer Toshiba, whose spokesperson has fired a warning shot across its competitor's bow with threats to seek compensation related to the aftermath of this ugly incident. Toshiba is claiming that the faulty batteries have tarnished the reputation of its brand and consequently hurt sales, with Sony the obvious target of its efforts to recoup lost revenue. This is one development that we'll be watching closely, because if money changes hands here, you can bet that everyone else will want a piece of the pie too -- and right now, that's exactly what Sony doesn't need.